7:55 PM, August 9, 2013

Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

The Macomb County Election Commission approved language today on recall petitions filed against three New Haven officials over a proposed landfill near the village.

Recall language was approved for village President Jammie Kincaid and Trustees Jennifer Podgurski and Jaremy Davis. The three-member commission did not approve language for village Clerk Deborah Mack.

The three officials have 10 days to appeal to Macomb County Circuit Court.

“It’s a political process, and we’ll see how it plays out,” said Kincaid, adding that he wasn’t surprised recall petitions were filed. “I understand the dynamics of the community.”

The approved language states that the three officials voted yes on a resolution that gave Kincaid “sole authority to execute a host agreement with Rizzo Environmental Services.” The resolution passed July 9, according to the petitions.

“We’re using every available avenue to try to stop this landfill,” said Ann Pridemore, a nine-year resident who filed the petitions.

She said the measure was approved in a “back-door fashion.”

“We need to have transparency with our government. What they did just blindsided everybody,” Pridemore said.

Hundreds of people attended a contentious town hall meeting Wednesday in Ray Township on the proposed 316-acre landfill, which could be expanded to more than 600 acres on property between 27 and 28 Mile roads, east of Gratiot.

While officials said the landfill would bring in much needed revenue for the village — an estimated $1.5 million to $3 million — residents are concerned about pollution, noise, excessive truck traffic and the impact on property values.

Most of the landfill site is in Lenox Township. Approval of the project would require the transfer of the property to New Haven through an agreement between the two communities or annexation, said Richard Manczak, an attorney representing Rizzo.